Improvement in oyster-packages



Oyster-Package.

' NO. 209,189. A Patented (30h22.y 187:8.

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FRANK IFEIFFE-R, OF'NORFOLK, VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN OYSTER-PACKAGES.

Specication forming part of Letters Patent No. 209,189, dated October22, 1,878; application filed October 11, 1878.

To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK PFEIFFER, of Norfolk, in the county of Norfolkand State of Virginia, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Oyster-Packages; and I do hereby declare that the followin gis afull, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same,reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

Figure l is an elevation of the package. Fig. 2 is a view of the cover,to show crossbar and eye, part being broken away. Fig. 3 is an elevationof the package with the hooks detached.

The nature of my invention consists in the construction and arrangementof a device for fastening the covers of oysterbuckets and other similarvessels, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

A represents a wooden bucket made of staves, in any suitable dimensions,fastened by metallic hoops, and having a bottom secured therein in anyot' the known and usual ways.

B represents the cover ofthe bucket, which cover is rabbeted around theedges, as shown at b, so that a portion of the cover will it within thebucket and the circumferential edge of the cover rest upon the upperedges of the staves forming the bucket. I, however, interpose a rubbergasket, a, made to tit in the rabbet b, so as to make the jointperfectly tight when the cover is fastened down.

Across the top of the cover B is a cross-bar, C, to keep the cover fromwarping, and at the same time serves as a handle for lifting the coveroff and on the bucket.

On top of the cross-bar C is secured a metal bar or strap, D, runninglongitudinally therewith, and terminating at both ends in perforatedlugs or eyes d d, which are turned downward at the ends of thecross-bar.

F represents a semicircular bail or handle, having at each end a shortarm, lf,turned at right angles to it 5 and the end of this arm is bentinward and passed through the top hoop of the bucket, or to a metalplate secured to the outside of the bucket under the upper ywhich is tobe hooked into the eye d at the end ofthe bar D. The bail F beingraised, the hooks I are easily disconnected from the eyes d, and thecover is perfectly free to be removed and put on as required.

When the cover is put on the hooks I are engaged in the eyes d, and thebail F is then turned down to the side of the bucket, whereby l thehooks draw the cover tightly down on the bucket 5 and as this positionof the bail F throws its arms f sufficiently far beyond a vertical lineto bring the pivot of the hooks I to one side of the pivots of the bail,the parts are locked and cannot become accidentally detached.

The only way to remove the cover is to raise the bail F sufficiently farto bring the arms f on the opposite side of the vertical line, when theparts will easily separate and allow the cover to be taken off.

I/Vhen the cover is fastened down an ordinary lead seal-lock, G, may beapplied, as shown. When the cover is not fastened down the bucket can becarried by means of the bail F. Y

Though my invention is principally intended for oyster-buckets it isevident that it is equally applicable to buckets, barrels, or othervessels designed for any other purpose.

The fastening device is strong and durable, and at the same time cheap,simple, and easily manipulated.

The eyes or perforated lugs d may be applied directly to the coverwithout the use of the metal bar or strap D, if so desired.

I am aware that it is not new in bottle-stoppers to have a sliding andswinging bail combined with locking devices, and I do not thereforeclaim such, broadly, as my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention,

what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isl Incombination with a vessel, A, and cover B, having wooden cross-bar Csecured thereto, the metal bar or strap D, fastened toa-nd extending theentire length of the cross-bar, and provided with the eyes d at itsends, the bail F, provided at the ends with right-angle crank- :trms j',which are securely pivoted at their ends to the vessel, Iind the hooksI, pivoted in the angles at the junctions of the bail and crank-arms foren gayging with the eyes d, substantially as :Al-ndfor the purposesherein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing.;- as my own I afx my signaturein presence of two witnesses.

i FRANK PFEIFFER.

Witnesses:

R. M. BARR, H. A. HALL.

